Features

Newtown Kindness hosted its first Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, November 2, to launch and raise money for its “Charlotte’s Litter” Program to recognize the benefits of therapy and comfort dogs. Newtown Kindness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded after the tragedy at Sandy Hook School in an effort to encourage, facilitate, and recognize the value of kindness...

On February 12, 1950, the 100-foot-tall flagpole that currently stands in the center of Main Street was formally dedicated. It replaced three previous wooden flag poles, then called Liberty Poles, and it was welcomed with pomp, circumstance, as an American flag was raised on it for the first time...

Monroe residents, who wished to remain anonymous, were assisted by Kim Weber, young adult librarian at C.H. Booth Library, as they set up a “Trick or Read” tent in front of the town library Thursday afternoon. The residents had collected over 3,000 books for Newtown children since 12/14, through the efforts of a Hartford teacher, and were anxious to distribute the books.

A light rain misted over the area on Thursday, but after two years of severe storms, the weather was not going to stop determined trick-or-treaters from venturing out on Halloween this year. Halloween had been all but cancelled in 2011 after Winter Storm Alfred dropped heavy, wet snow across the region and created dangerous settings for the autumn holiday. Last year it was Superstorm Sandy that diminished the season’s spirits, causing town officials to ask residents to wait until November 4 to send trick-of-treaters out. By late afternoon this Halloween, however, Main Street was full of activity. Newtown Police had officers staged along the roadway, working to keep the rush hour traffic moving while also watching for the safety of pedestrians.

As volunteers put the final touches on a hay-hunt, other helpers at the Saturday, October 26, “Howl-o-ween” canine costume party readied additional stations. The family event was sponsored by Newtown Parks and Recreation, and benefited the Friends of Newtown Park and Back and was held on the Fairfield Hills Campus.Activities included a relay race, a haystack treasure hunt, a hot dog toss, and games of "tic-tac-paw."

As trick-or-treaters began making their way through Sandy Hook Village for a Halloween Walk, participating businesses were ready on Saturday, October 26.
This year marked the third Halloween Walk hosted by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity, better known as SHOP. Local children were invited to attend with parent or other adult and in their best, scariest, funniest, and creative Halloween outfits. As trick-or-treaters stopped at various businesses, they received candy and treats...

Following a special one-night encore showing of The Conjuring on Thursday, October 24, an audience at Edmond Town Hall Theatre was treated to a question and answer session with Lorraine Warren and Tony Spera. The supernatural horror film directed by James Wan follows one of the biggest cases investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren, Monroe residents who spent decades working as paranormal investigators and authors. The movie received applause, but once the stage had been configured, following the screening, for Mrs Warren and Mr Spera to sit at a table for their question and answer session, the pair received a standing ovation.